They don’t mind telling you that northern rugby matters at Sale but there can be no more compelling evidence than this. For Sale Sharks edged a thunderous encounter, the kind of clash of which the titans would be proud, to take their place in their first Premiership final since 2006.
It was a performance of blood and thunder, equally so from Leicester, but ultimately the Sharks had George Ford in their ranks this season and the Tigers did not.
Ford was nigh-on flawless, delivering the kind of individual showing that England will take note. Manu Tuilagi wasn’t far behind while Tom Curry began in fearsome fashion and somehow found another gear after a nasty hamstring to brother Ben that will surely rule him out of the final.
That their two tries were scored by two local lads in Tom Roebuck and Arron Reed will also delight their director of rugby Alex Sanderson.